In the Loop tracks who’s up and who’s down in government circles, the arduous “fact-finding trips” officials must take to Rio, Paris and Rome at taxpayer expense, and looks at the quirkier corners of political life in the federal city.» More Al Kamen» More Emily Heil

We wonder whether former representative Anthony Weiner would find any consolation in the fact that even though his political career’s toast, he’s still a winner ... of the Loop’s title of biggest political scandal of 2011.

The State Department and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were in intense and fluid negotiations on an agreement addressing Rubio’s concerns that Washington adopt a more forceful line toward Nicaragua and Cuba.